Page 111 of Fangirl

And God help me, I’m so far gone.

I glance at the clock, hoping,praying, I can steal just a little more time. But it’s already seven thirty. Shit. I’m more than fashionably late, and the chances of making it to my second meeting with Gordon’s team on time are close to none.

The worst part? I can’t bring myself to care.

Carefully, I shift out from under her. She makes a sleepy little sound, sighing as she turns onto her stomach, giving me a perfect, unfair view of her ass.

I groan under my breath—yeah, the shower’s going to be cold.

By the time I make it to the kitchen, Lucy’s already there, humming as she preps breakfast. She glances up, clocking the grin I can’t wipe off my face.

“I see we have company,” she teases, a knowing glint in her eyes.

I grin wider. Lucy was here through the worst of it—through the weeks I moped around this place like a ghost after Amy didn’t follow me to LA.

“She’s here,” I say, the words tasting better than I imagined. “Finally.”

Lucy’s smile softens. “She was always going to come. You’re a good man, Mr. Hollander.”

I sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “You’re gonna love her, Lucy. She’s… extraordinary.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

I glance at my watch and curse under my breath. No time for breakfast. Hell, no time for anything except getting my ass out the door.

“Can you make her something special?” I ask, already scribbling on the notepad we keep on the kitchen island.

Morning, Fangirl.

I love you.

Sorry I didn’t wake you—you looked too damn peaceful. I’ll see you tonight. Ask Lucy for anything you want. Make yourself at home.

Also… did I mention I love you?

I set the note down, shoot Lucy one last grateful look, and head for the door.

The meeting’s at some random hotel—fifth floor, nondescript and forgettable. Nothing about it screams blockbuster franchise in the making, which is exactly the point. The secrecy around Joseph Gordon’s project could rival the Pentagon.

I step inside the suite, and it’s all business. No warm welcomes, no coffee and croissants—just Joseph’s team,silent and focused. The kind of people who make billion-dollar deals before breakfast.

Of course, Joseph himself isn’t here.

The man barely leaves his glass-walled penthouse these days. Probably watching us right now on some oversized monitor, sipping a thousand-dollar whiskey, judging every move.

I’ve only met him once—briefly. The day he offered meValorion, the lead in his next golden goose, the superhero franchise:Legion Ascendant.

And honestly? I’ll probably only see him again when we’re standing shoulder to shoulder on some red carpet, pretending this was fun.

“You’re late,” Roberta snaps. She’s Gordon’s right hand—and by the looks of her, the one who does most of the breaking. Hollywood kisses the floor she walks on.

“I am.” I don’t bother making excuses. Maybe once, I’d have stumbled over myself trying to impress them, but not now. Not when my real prize is still lying warm in my bed, smelling like sunshine and sex.

Roberta eyes me, her lips twitching like she’s fighting a smirk.

“What’s this meeting about?” I ask, leaning back like I’ve got all the time in the world.

Her mouth presses flat, but there’s something almost approving in her eyes. “We’re ready to announce,” she says. “The new Gordon era. The next big thing.” Her gaze sharpens. “And you, Jake, are the face of it.”